“The new bishop must become the new heart of this eparchial community”, says the Head of the UGCC at the Installation of the Sixth Bishop in Saskatoon
Performing today the Rite of Installation of the new bishop in the Saskatoon Eparchy, we are praying that the new bishop be an icon of Christ himself, who sits on the throne of his glory in heaven but is alive and active in the life of his Church, making a pilgrimage to the Heavenly Kingdom here on earth. This was stated by the Father and Head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, during the installation of the sixth bishop of the Saskatoon Eparchy of the UGCC, Bishop Michael Smolinski.
The event took place on January 21, 2024, at the Cathedral Church of St. George (Saskatoon) on the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee according to the Gregorian calendar. The new bishop was enthroned by the Head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
In his sermon, His Beatitude, Sviatoslav noted that it was a great joy and a distinct privilege to perform the historic act of inauguration and installation of the new ruling bishop of the Saskatoon Eparchy, Michael Smolinski.
Furthermore, the Primate appealed to the clergy, monastics, and laity of the Saskatoon Eparchy of the UGCC, requesting to accept their new bishop in God’s name, to listen and support him, and not to forget to pray for Ukraine. “All of us, your brothers and sisters in Ukraine and our community here in Canada have become different and should strive to become better Christians, devoted sons, and daughters of our people and children of our Church,” the archbishop emphasized.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav also addressed the newly arrived Ukrainians who fled to Canada from the horrors of war: “Acclimate to the congregations of our Church and the community in this country! We will become strong and invincible as long as we stand together.”
At the end of the sermon, the Head of the UGCC emphasized that today, all Ukrainians, including those in Canada, have a moral obligation to pray and work together for the victory of Ukraine and to raise a single voice to the world. To do this, we must not eschew our own roots, but we must unite in the name of Christ and join efforts, listening to the voice of our Church.
After the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Michael Smolinski, the new ruling bishop of the Saskatoon Eparchy of the UGCC, extended his gratitude to the Head of the Church, clergy, Redemptorist brothers, and all those present for sharing this momentous time in common prayer.
Thereafter, the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, called for a joint prayer for Ukraine enduring the war. He urged prayers for those in Russian captivity, especially for the imprisoned Redemptorist priests from Berdiansk, whose fate remains unknown.
Bishop Michael Smolinski was consecrated as a bishop on January 20, 2024, at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Saskatoon, Canada. His appointment as Bishop of the Saskatoon Diocese was announced in the Vatican on November 30, 2023.
Bishop Michael Smolinski was consecrated as a bishop on January 20, 2024, at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Saskatoon, Canada. His appointment as Bishop of the Saskatoon Diocese was announced in the Vatican on November 30, 2023.
The UGCC Department for Information
